Of pulmonarias, hellebores, hydrangeas, and an exotic cycad

Last weekend I was finally able to spend some time in the garden. Most of it was dedicated to winter cleanup and an emergency drip irrigation fix—too boring for a blog post—but I also did a bit of planting in the backyard. But before I did any work, I noticed a beautiful sight: one of the Pulmonaria ‘Raspberry Splash’ I planted last fall is in bloom!

Pulmonaria ‘Raspberry Splash’

Pulmonaria ‘Raspberry Splash’

I love the flower color. Not quite raspberry, but close.

Pulmonaria ‘Raspberry Splash’

The other pulmonaria (next photo) isn’t quite blooming yet, but it shouldn’t be much longer. When I planted it, I forgot that this spot is also home to an Arum italicum. Since the arum goes dormant in the late spring, there is no trace of it in all summer and fall. Its leaves don’t come up until late winter.

Pulmonaria ‘Raspberry Splash’ and Arum italicum

In yesterday’s post I raved about a hellebore I’d spotted at Lowes, Helleborus × ballardiae ‘HGC Pink Frost’. I bought a nice specimen and planted it near a clump of variegated shell ginger (Alpinia zerumbet ‘Variegata’). In the next couple of photos you can see the ginger’s leaf stalks in the background.

Helleborus × ballardiae ‘HGC Pink Frost’

Helleborus × ballardiae ‘HGC Pink Frost’

This hellebore hybrid not only has sublime flowers, but also attractive foliage. One description I found referred to the leaves as having a pewter overlay—I can definitely see that.

Helleborus × ballardiae ‘HGC Pink Frost’

Helleborus × ballardiae ‘HGC Pink Frost’

A couple of months ago I mentioned that A&A Cycads was having a huge moving sale. I took advantage of the savings and bought a Cycas debaoensis. This extraordinary cycad from China has multi-pinnate leaves, i.e. the leaves are split into multiple levels of leaflets (I count three levels of leaflets on mine). This produces a light and feathery effect and makes this cycad highly desirable.

Cycas debaoensis

Unlike its relative, the sago palm (Cycas revoluta) the caudex of Cycas debaoensis is mostly underground—not like my juvenile plant has much of a caudex yet. According to reports from collectors, this is one the fastest growing cycads. This person reports cone production and 10 ft. leaves in just five years.

Cycas debaoensis

I don’t really expect this kind of growth in my garden, but I picked a spot that has room for the long and graceful leaves that will hopefully be produced in the years to come.

Cycas debaoensis

As you can see in the photo below, I planted my Cycas debaoensis near two bamboos: an in-ground Borinda papyrifera and a potted Phyllostachys nigra. The leaves of these three plants should harmonize beautifully.

Cycas debaoensis

The last plant I planted was a variegated hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Tricolor’). I picked it up last fall because I was attracted to the stunning foliage. Initially I didn’t know where to put it so I left it in its nursery pot through the winter. It suffered a bit because I forgot to water it regularly but it did survive. I finally decided to put it in a large urn that had previously been occupied by a moribund Fargesia apicirubens ‘White Dragon’ which I finally put out of its misery.

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Tricolor’

I must admit I have no clue whether hydrangeas do well in pots over the long term, but I’m willing to give it a shot. The leaves of this Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Tricolor’ will definitely brighten up this spot under the bay trees in the backyard.

Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Tricolor’